Chapter 2: Rehabilitation
3 Weeks Later. Gotham General Hospital.
Jason was now finally walking some-what normal. Sure, he still needed a cane to keep him upright, but he was no longer bound to the bed, the doctors was more than impressed by how quickly he was recovering. Jason had refused any help from anyone at this stage. No pain-killers, no healing powers, no magic. He had to do this by himself. Neither Bruce nor Dick approved, but they could relate that he had to do it himself, especially Bruce, he had gone through something similar when Bane broke his back. It was a tough time for anyone, rehabilitation never was easy, especially not when you, like Jason thought yourself to be invincible, if it's not the Physical impact that gets you, it's the mental impact that gets you.
That was most likely the case with Jason when he was in the exercise room, all alone. Only thing there with him was the sound of his music. Some form of skate-punk. He was balancing on his hands onto the ledge that you had helped him walk again about a week ago. About two "Steps" in, he slipped and fell down onto the soft floor. Groaning in pain as he got up onto his feet again, panting and dripping blood from his mouth. He got up, holding his side, and getting his cane. Walking towards the exit. As he approached the door, he put his left arm against the wall, to lean on it while he regained his power. " Why.. Am.. I... So.. Weak?!" He mumbled to himself, he would've screamed, but his lungs just wouldn't bear with that. He made an angry facial expression when he slammed his fist against the wall, making a big dent in it. Jason walked away. Tears running down his face.
Meanwhile in the Bat Cave:
Dick was watching Jason's little 'stunt' he was slightly amused at seeing his 'brother' fall on his face.
Of course, seeing him sulk and cry because of it tore into his heart. He put his hand to his ear. " Yo. Bats. I think Robin could need some face to face with you. He hasn't seen you since he woke up 3 weeks ago." Dick told Bruce. Batman was a little busy, dodging a knife from a thug part of a new Joker-Copy-cat gang. " I am.. A.. Little... Busy!" He said as he between each word either blocked or dodged. He grunted as he lashed out at the two bad-guys, knocking both of them out. " I'll go see him after I've changed. Think the bastard got me in the arm." Bruce said, as he felt the tiny gash from the knife. " Oh come on Bruce. Like on knife could stop you!" Dick said, cheerful as always. " I doubt it Nightwing. Returning to cave." He said, jogging towards the Bat-mobile which he leapt into.
He revved the engine and just as soon as he was out of sight, it went into camoflague mode, turning into a fine sports-car. The car stopped outside of the hospital and the door swung open.
Out came the elegant billionaire bachelor playboy. Bruce Wayne. Bruce greeted the fairly young nurse outside of the hospital, whom almost fainted from his presence. "Always nice being appreciated." Bruce noted. He soon found his way to the room, 148, 4th floor of Gotham Gen.
He swung the door open, to be met by a loud stream of music, and the sound of leather being punched around, as well as the panting of the young man he called protege. Jason was boxing. Pushing himself to his very limit. He always did. Relaxing and just waiting for the wounds to heal just wasn't his style.
" I see someone's busy." Bruce said to Jason. Whom smiled at him, and with an axe-kick he tore the sack from the roof, and into the chest-area of Bruce, whom with ease got it before it hit him. " Better than ever Old Man. I'll be back out stopping bad-guys at the end of the week!" Jason said, trying to sound as strong as possible.
Bruce chuckled. But then put on a serious face. " No. You're not Jason. You almost died. You're not fine, you can't hide your own weakness." Bruce said as he closed the door behind him. " Oh yeah, I'm not fine, why don't you test that for yourself!" Jason exclaimed, as he took two steps towards Bruce, and lashed out his fist, the attack was easily dodged by Bruce, two more jabs towards his mentor, and in a sense, father, just as easily dodged. An axe-kick towards Bruce, whom had his hands in his pockets at this point. Bruce caught the leg mid-air with incredible speed. He pushed Jason upwards from the leg, and caught him by the throat, and pushed him sideways diagonally into the bed.
Jason gasped for air as he hit the soft pillow. " That was me giving about 20%." Bruce said, Jason grunted. " You're not fine Jason. Please. Rest." He said, turning off the music, before he walked over to the side of the bed and kissed Jason on the forehead.
Despite the tough-face Jason put on, he was both scared and exhausted, but not only that. He was still a kid, and a kid that needed love and being cared for. Something that wasn't exactly Bruce's strong suit. But he tried, and just that made Jason happy. He shut his eyes and wandered back off to the land of dreams.
Fire, tormented screams. A twisted version of the Krypto-Clone's voice, laughing, manically, like the Joker.
